Every acute hospital trust in England is currently failing to meet the NHS’s 18-week patient treatment standard, according to new analysis of waiting list data. The target, set as part of Keir Starmer’s reform milestones, aims to treat 92% of patients within 18 weeks. However, data from October 2024 reveals that none of the 124 acute trusts in England have reached this goal, with some seeing more than half of their patients waiting longer than 18 weeks for care.
The most recent waiting list figures show a staggering 7.54 million cases, equating to about 6.34 million individual patients. Among these, 3.1 million cases have waited over 18 weeks for elective treatments, and 234,885 have been on the list for more than a year.
Starmer’s Ambitious NHS Reform Goals
Keir Starmer’s NHS milestones, outlined earlier this month, include clearing hospital backlogs to meet the 18-week standard, which was last achieved in 2015. A comprehensive 10-year NHS reform plan is expected to be unveiled in spring 2025.
Specialist and community trusts, such as Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, are managing to meet the 18-week target. However, acute hospital trusts, which deliver emergency and short-term treatments, are facing significant challenges. Trusts like Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust report some of the longest waiting times, with over half their patients waiting more than 18 weeks.
NHS Faces Rising Challenges
An analysis by the NHS Confederation highlights the scale of the problem. By 2028/29, the NHS will need to deliver 50% more elective activity to clear current backlogs and achieve the 18-week target. The government’s pledge of two million additional annual appointments and operations addresses only 15% of the additional capacity needed.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, described the 18-week standard as a “stretching target” but acknowledged progress in reducing the longest waits. “The critical figure is how long people are waiting. Those longest waits have been slowly coming down, but hitting the 18-week standard will require fundamental reforms,” Taylor said.
Funding and Innovations to Address NHS Crisis
The government has committed £22.6 billion for NHS running costs and an additional £3.1 billion for capital investment over two years. Surgical hubs and community diagnostic centres are being introduced to streamline services and reduce waiting times.
Hospital trusts are also implementing innovative solutions. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust has performed over 7,500 surgeries in its Trafford Hub in the last year, while Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Trust has halved its longest waiting times since May.
Former NHS England chief executive Lord Crisp emphasized the need for heavy investment in community care, primary care, and social care to create a sustainable healthcare model. “Without significant changes, waiting lists will continue to rise,” Crisp warned.
Government’s Plan for Change
The Department of Health and Social Care reiterated its commitment to tackling the NHS backlog. A spokesperson highlighted the progress made in reducing waits and the importance of upcoming reforms. “We’re already making progress, and the extra £26 billion will fund new surgical hubs, scanners, and beds as we cut waiting times and reform the NHS,” they said.
Public Urged to Stay Updated
Patients are encouraged to stay informed about waiting times and upcoming changes by contacting their local hospital trusts or visiting NHS websites.
